Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Aero 8, 2012< Plus 8, SuperSports, Coupe & Aeromax So have you driven your Aero today?

Very subtle two tone

A nice trip to Waitrose Supermarket today...
What did I find
This:

The question is...does the registration match the car? The P reg suffix is 1975, but the car older?
I know it is a MG, but what model and vintage? It has rear hinged doors...possibly a TG?
Even more curious, the rear number plate had a Commonwealth Country plate....in the shape of an MG Octagon...


Now, Northern Rhodesia became Zambia in 1946. Northern Rhodesian number plates, before independence, were 2 letter + 4 numbers, where the 2 letters identified the registration district.

So we have a MG car, possibly pre-war, with a 1975 UK number plate, making it look newer than it is... with a Northern Rhodesian country plate.
The car had a good patina, it had not been restored and looked well used, but not scruffy.

Any suggestions?

Maybe imported in 1975 and allocated a current plate - this was the time when Rhodesia was really kicking off and the Caucasians needed to evacuate the area or stay forever under the soil there.

DVLA lists the reg as an MG Midget first registered in December 1951.

If it is a UK reg, it is a kit car.

I think +8Rich is right: my bother had a Norvin registered in the early seventies and although both the engine and frame were fifties it was given an 'L' registration, so a 'P' registration on an imported car is perfectly feasible.

Sure its not Stringers Best Mate in his new car ?

Looks like the real deal to me Peter, I am pretty sure should an owner wish to have an age related plate, and if the engine and chassis numbers are available, then the MG car club are bound to have access to MG records and could determine it`s identity as original or otherwise and if original then perhaps actual date it left the factory then I suspect there would be no great problem in applying for a plate. Of course the owner could just buy a pre suffix/prefix plate to remove the "P."

Of course if the P is denoting the year it was registered in the UK, then I suspect it is possible the law is being broken in showing non-reflective plates which are required for all cars registered after "L" 1972...?

But then if a Rhodesian issue plate and displaying the NR octagon may be there as a get out of jail free indicator should he be questioned on the plate..?

Yes 1951 ties in with this era of MG and the DVLA calling it a Midget sounds about right

I knew that the answer would be forthcoming... thanks one and all!
It would have been god to meet the owner and chat, but although I waited he/she didn't appear.

Changed in April this year. Any vehicle over 40yrs and registered as 'Historic' can have black and white plates (DVLA INF104)